On the go and no time to finish that story right now? Your News is the place for you to save content to read later from any device. Register with us and content you save will appear here so you can access them to read later.

The next luckiest stores, Pak 'N Save Riccarton in Christchurch and Nelson's Richmond Night 'N Day tie second-equal with 32 first division wins each. The Christchurch store has more than double the total first division winnings, with $36m compared to the Nelson store's $16m.

Coastlands Lotto in Paraparaumu comes in at third place with 29 first division wins, and Berrymans in Auckland, Mall Books and Lotto in Wellington and Hornby Mall Lotto in Christchurch share the title of fourth "luckiest", with 26 first division wins to their names.

A half-million dollar lotto ticket has been sold at the Patea Four Square so the Chronicle went to Patea to ask some locals what they would do with the winnings. Video Bevan Conley.

Lotto spokeswoman Emilia Mazur said although these stores have a lucky reputation every ticket has the same chance.

"We know these stores will be busier than usual with players hoping some of their previous good luck will rub off.

"Every year a different store sells a winning Powerball ticket. This year there have been big Powerball wins in Timaru, Ohakune, Tauranga, Ashburton, Dunedin, Hamilton and Kawhia - so there's been luck all over the country."

Mazur warns Lotto players to get in early to avoid the queue.

"Most of our stores were very busy after 6pm on Wednesday. Our tip for players that want to avoid waiting in line - and potentially missing out - is to get in early."